Site index
Working with you
Information on how the Ministry works with different groups to make a difference for the environment, including how you can have your say and ideas for actions you can do yourself:
- Consultation – seeking your views
- Green Ribbon Awards and other environmental awards
- Ministry conferences and events
- Promoting environmental wellbeing under the Local Government Act 2002
- Funding sources
- What you can do
The issues
Information on the key environmental issues in New Zealand and the work that the Ministry has under way to address them.
Air quality
- Clean air programme
- The air we breathe – a basic introduction to air quality and the main contaminants in our air including health and environmental effects
- Air quality roles and responsibilities
Aquaculture
Biodiversity
- Biodiversity initiatives – information about our work on marine biodiversity, pests, weeds and diseases, and protecting biodiversity on private land
- Fiordland Marine Conservation Strategy
Climate change
Foreshore and seabed
Energy
Hazardous substances
- Hazardous properties
- Pesticides and agrichemicals
- Hazardous facilities
- Contaminated land – information about our work to reduce and manage land contamination, including our Organochlorines Programme and work to reduce dioxins
Land
- Urban catchments
- Agricultural impacts
- Soil conservation
- Natural hazard management
- Landcare Trust
- Land Cover Database
New and genetically modified organisms
- Ten things to know about genetic modification
- About genetic modification
- Genetic modification regulation
- Law changes for genetic modification
- Other work on genetic modification
- Genetic modification glossary
- Genetic modification links
- Ongoing management of conditionally released genetically modified organisms
Ozone layer
Oceans
- Current oceans work
- Previous oceans work
- Links to other government agencies
- Oceans pages for kids
- Jurisdictional boundaries
Resource management
- Information for the public and business
- Information for practitioners
- Information about central government work
Sustainability
- New Zealand Sustainable Development Programme of Action
- Reports on sustainable development in New Zealand
- World Summit on Sustainable Development
Sustainable industry
Transport
- Environmental effects of transport
- Sustainable transport – information on sustainable transport options such as public transport, biking, walking and more efficient use of vehicles
- Transport management
Treaty and iwi
Urban issues
- New Zealand Urban Design Protocol
- Building and housing
- City and regional development
- Media releases
- Links to urban websites
Waste
- National targets for priority waste areas
- Waste data in New Zealand
- Waste Campaign Pilot
- Waste management planning resource
- Hazardous wastes
- Construction and demolition waste
- Special wastes
- Wastewater
- Landfills
- Waste links
Water
- Waitaki Catchment
- Sustainable Water Programme of Action
- Water quality
- Coastal marine environment
- Freshwater – including information on agricultural impacts and water allocation
- Water Conservation Orders
Environmental reporting
Environmental reporting draws together information and data that lets us know the current state of the environment, trends, and effects of human activities on the environment.
- About environmental reporting - tools and guidelines, partnership, best practice guidelines
- Environmental report cards - updates environmental information between state of the environment reports
- National environmental indicators - there are 22 national environmental indicators covering ten domains
- National state of the environment report - comprehensive report produced every five years
- New Zealand's international reporting - reporting to international bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and United Nations
Laws and treaties
Information on the main environmental legislation in New Zealand and our international agreements:
- Aquaculture Reform (Repeals and Transitional Provisions) Act 2004
- Climate Change Response Act 2002
- Environment Act 1986
- Fiordland (Te Moana o Atawhenua) Marine Management Act 2005
- Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996
- International trade and environment
- Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996
- National environmental standards
- New Zealand’s key obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements
- Regulatory Impact Statements
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Act 1941
- Waste Minimisation Act 2008
Publications
Details of the Ministry’s publications on environmental legislation, policies and issues, most of which are available electronically. Our publications include guidelines, discussion papers, information papers, reports, pamphlets and information sheets.
About the Ministry
Information about the Ministry for the Environment:
- Work priorities
- The context in which we work
- Working at the Ministry (current vacancies)
- Ministry tenders
- Responsible ministers
- Other New Zealand agencies with environmental interests
Last updated: 16 July 2009
